Lahore, August 2016: AkzoNobel invited people around the world to follow a great adventure when it was announced that the company has joined forces with Dutch sailor Simeon Tienpont to form team AkzoNobel, with the express aim of winning the 2017/2018 Volvo Ocean Race safely and sustainably. Team AkzoNobel is the first to enter the forthcoming edition of the competition.
Entering a team into the world’s premier offshore sailing race – which will visit 11 host cities – will enable the company to connect with new and existing audiences and customers over a prolonged period of time, as well as continuing its proud maritime heritage.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to harness our combined energy and ambition, channeling it into a sustainable partnership,” said AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner. “It will also enable us to captivate people around the world and explore new business opportunities while highlighting how we create everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring.”
Speaking at the launch event in Scheveningen, the Netherlands, Conrad Keijzer, the company’s Executive Committee member responsible for Performance Coatings, added: “Partnering with Simeon is a winning combination. It brings together our market-leading performance in marine and yacht coatings with a true leader who puts teamwork first and is both determined and inspirational – qualities we value highly at AkzoNobel.”
The launch took place in front of Scheveningen Pier (close to where the race will end), which provided a colorful backdrop for the event. Fifty of the famous landmark’s pillars were recently coated by AkzoNobel to provide essential protection against the tides and the elements. The race will also present more opportunities to invest in local communities and make them more livable and inspiring.
Due to start in October 2017 and end in mid-2018, the world famous race – which attracts millions of followers – will stop at the following cities: Alicante (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Cape Town (South Africa), Hong Kong, Guangzhou (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), Newport (US), Cardiff (Wales), Gothenburg (Sweden), The Hague (The Netherlands).
AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 45,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.
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